By Roger Straw, February 16, 2022

For those with the stomach for it, here is the Benicia City Council’s Feb. 15 discussion and 4-1 vote to lift the citywide indoor mask mandate.  Fair warning: public comments were full of misinformation and self-centered right-wing talking points about individual freedom.  Vice Mayor Campbell was the only Council member with enough backbone and regard for scientific fact to oppose this action.  Thank you, Tom Campbell!  Republican Councilmember Largaespada led the anti-mask charge, and should pay the price when we go to the polls in November.  (See guide to the video time slots below.)

Benicia City Council video excerpt, Item 21B, Feb. 15, 2022

Guide to the video – The face covering discussion begins with the Staff Report…

• • 3:39:42 – City Manager Erik Upson
  • 3:45:00 – Council Questions – Macenski, Upson answer, Young, Upson and Stock answer
  • 3:49:45 – Largaespada slide presentation
  • 3:58:29 – Campbell slide presentation
  • 4:03:20 – PUBLIC COMMENT
  • 5:14:48 – WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS
  • 5:20:13 – Council deliberation
  • 5:40:10 – Motion by Largaespada to lift indoor mask mandate (second by Strawbridge)
  • 5:39:30 – ADJOURN